Soon

a tree sits atop a hill its roots reach deep into the earth searching, gathering its trunk stands solid and strong the bark rich and warm beating with the rhythm of life the tallest branches reach toward the sky the emerald green leaves sway softly in a breeze A thrasher calls to its mate nearby But there is a sickness within this tree one that stems from deep within one that darkens the roots and makes the beautiful leaves shrivel and die What causes this sickness? Does it have a name? Can it be cured? The tree only sighs and gently shakes its leaves for the tree still sits alone on the hill waiting hoping